eSale UK Online Estate Agents

10 Reasons to Use an Online Estate Agent

Nowadays, we manage almost everything online from our laptops, smartphones and tablets. And yet when it comes to buying and selling houses, many people prefer to visit their local estate agents. Moving home is a momentous decision, and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. But as online estate agents become increasingly sophisticated, should you be wary of their services? Not if you choose one you can trust.

Here are 10 reasons why a reputable online estate agent could make buying or selling your property a simple and stress-free process:

Local Expertise

If you decide to use the services of a digital estate agent, choose a firm focused on your region or county. For example, if you’re situated in Harrogate, a Yorkshire-based online estate agent is likely to have a much better understanding of the local area and demographics than a nationwide company.

Just because they don’t have a local branch doesn’t mean they lack area-specific expertise. In fact, as staff aren’t busy manning an office all day, online estate agents often have more time to commit to researching the market and helping their clients. In doing so, they can ensure that you’re selling at the right time, for the right price, in the right kind of places.

Lower Fees

What’s more, these savings are passed on to you as a homeowner. Online estate agents can afford to charge you less for the same quality of service, meaning that you could save thousands of pounds in agency fees. So you can maximise the value of your house sale, without increasing the asking price.

Flexible Plans

Online estate agents are agile by nature, and take a more flexible, dynamic approach to the property market than many of their traditional counterparts. Their systems and policies are not entrenched, meaning they can work around your needs (and budget) to deliver a service that’s just right for you.

This can be particularly beneficial when it comes to fees, as many will give you the option to pay upfront, or upon completion. Why would you pay before completion, you ask? Well, with an upfront plan you can receive exactly the same service for a fraction of the price. Protected by money back guarantees, it’s a risk-free way to save even more money on your house sale.

Fast Valuations

Many traditional estate agents are slow on the uptake of digital services, meaning that starting your journey in the property market can be a long and drawn-out process. Before you can decide whether to use the services of an estate agent, you usually need to arrange a home valuation. This may not be inconvenient the first time, but getting multiple quotes from different agents can soon delay your house sale.

Online estate agents, on the other hand, offer fast valuations online, enabling you to complete a few key details to receive an estimated asking price for your property. In doing so, you can streamline the decision-making process and waste no time in getting started.

Digital Marketing

When selling your property, you want to generate as much interest as possible, as quickly as possible. The rise of sites such as Zoopla, Rightmove and Primelocation have made connecting buyers to sellers a much easier process. Estate agents that don’t put their properties on these sites immediately risk losing out on potential buyers.

As digital natives, online estate agents will ensure that your property receives optimum exposure during those crucial first days and weeks on the market. As a result, they’re more likelyto find a buyer, and perhaps even secure a higher price for your property.

Instant Property Updates

This digital advantage works both ways for sellers and buyers. Because online estate agents are constantly generating a stream of new houses for sale, those searching for properties have more choice available. Instead of trekking around town looking for the latest listings, you can simply browse the regularly updated pages online for houses in your area and price range.

A Personal Service

However, online services don’t seek to replace the traditional role of the estate agent outright. Reputable online estate agents still use a face-to-face approach for key stages of your property purchase or sale, such as visiting your home to take photos, measurements and write a tailored description of your property. This personal service ensures that your property – and you as a seller – get their full attention.

Sales Progression

For everything else, calls and emails are just as effective. In the midst of dealing with people in branch, many estate agents fall short when it comes to communication and sales progression. Although this service tends to be associated with traditional estate agents, there are countless online firms that offer full sales progression for no extra fee. And because online agents work remotely, they can focus on keeping you in the loop on potential viewings, offers and interest, with no distractions.

You’re in Control

One complaint that many house sellers make when dealing with agents is that they don’t feel in control of their property sale. Selling your home is a momentous decision, and you want to be sure that you’ve chosen the right buyer.

Some online estate agents give you the option of managing offers and negotiations yourself. So if you’re confident at your ability to negotiate, you can take an active role in the sale – if you want to!However, as sales progression can be a lengthy and complex process, it’s understandable that many homeowners choose to relinquish this responsibility.

Strong Reputation

The growing popularity of online reviews means that any credible estate agent should have feedback to support their claims and give you trust in their service. So when looking at agents online, see what their customers have to say!

No matter what type of company you use, it’s crucial to shop around to ensure that you’re happy with your choice of estate agent. However, opt for an online estate agent with no hidden fees and a strong reputation, and you could potentially save thousands of pounds on your house sale, whilst ensuring it reaches completion as quickly and smoothly as possible.